COLLEGE PICKS: Come on, Southern Miss  no one goes winless

Southern Mississippi wide receiver Dominique Sullivan makes a sliding catch for a touchdown against SMU in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 10, 2012, in Dallas. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Christian Randolph) MAGS OUT, TV OUT INTERNET: AP MEMBERS ONLY NO SALES

It looked like it was going be a long Saturday after Miami yacked up a bone in the final seconds against Virginia (losing by one on a pick game), Rutgers picked up a long fumble for TD and a back-door cover against Army (can’t believe they rubbed it in on West Point on Veterans Day weekend) and Florida nearly lost to (gulp) Louisiana-Lafayette.

But the Gators found a miracle, and I dominated the West Coast games late, even surviving the touchdown the referees stole from Penn State.

The BCS logjam that we have now is fascinating, with three undefeated teams vying for two spots and six SEC teams sitting behind them.

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Incredibly, those six SEC teams are 9-9 against each other and 42-0 against the rest of the country. Only one of those six teams played four of the others — you guessed it, Florida, which went 3-1 in those games. The one loss was costly, though, and Georgia — which has beaten one other team with a winning record (Vandy) — will go to Atlanta.

But enough about my bitterness. There are plenty of good games this week to worry about. I am picking a large slate this week as I just couldn’t cut any more from the list.

So, for entertainment purposes only, here we go.

ARMY (minus-2 ˝) over Temple — Why not? The Black Knights are tough at home and have a shot at the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy in a few weeks in Philly.

BOWLING GREEN (minus-2 ˝) over Kent State — You have to recognize that Kent State manhandled Rutgers, but they also got housed by Kentucky. Those cancel out, and the Falcons have been on the rise.

NEBRASKA (minus-20) over Minnesota — The Huskers should work this team silly. These Gophers are about as potent as the one from Caddyshack and only half as funny.

Iowa State (minus-6) over KANSAS — Here’s the one I almost crossed off, but Charlie Weis is awful. So awful. Bill Self could have coached the football team to 1-11, and it would have saved money.

MARSHALL (minus-3 ˝) over Houston — I picked on the Cougars last week and I’m going back to the well.

CINCINNATI (minus-6 ˝) over Rutgers — Yeah, this might be the week Rutgers turns back into a pumpkin. If the Knights win, though, they need only beat Louisville for a trip to Miami. The Pitt game would be irrelevant in the standings.

VANDERBILT (minus-4) over Tennessee — The Vols needn’t worry. They won’t go winless in the SEC. They have Kentucky next week.

Stanford (plus-20 ˝) over OREGON — The Ducks have to play a close game sometime, right? Right? Eagles fans are rooting for Oregon so Chip Kelly wins a title and moves on to NFL. He does love green.

MISSOURI (minus-5) over Syracuse — The Tigers aren’t SEC elite, but they are covering a few spreads lately. Syracuse has played lesser competition all year.

LOUISIANA TECH (plus-3) over Utah State — The Bulldogs are better as an underdog than a favorite. Plus, long trip for the Aggies, who are battling for WAC title.

Ohio State (plus-3) over WISCONSIN — OK, I messed with Wisconsin last week and lost by 50, that’s fair. But the Buckeyes are going for a perfect record, which if achieved would give Urban Meyer two perfect seasons without a national title and two championship years with a loss in each. Got all that?

Brigham Young (minus-3) over SAN JOSE STATE — Pops talked me into this one. I originally liked San Jose, but I pulled a John Kerry.

Kansas State (minus-13) over BAYLOR — This will suffice as the Admiral Ackbar Trap of the Week. Give me one good reason that Kansas State doesn’t beat the living crap out of Baylor. I thought so.

And finally …

SOUTHERN MISS (plus-4) over Texas-El Paso — Southern Miss is 0-10 this season. You know how many teams went winless in Division I-A (FBS) football last season? None. Not one. Nobody. This is a pure mathematical hunch.

Last week: 8-5

YTD: 68-60-1

— Matthew Osborne is the editor of The Trentonian and a Heisman Trophy voter. He can be reached at 609-989-7800, ext. 201, or mosborne@trentonian.com. Follow him on Twitter @trentonianozzy.